Meet the Authors and Presenters

Authors

Chris Stefanick

Chris Stefanick is a co-author and presenter for Chosen. He speaks to more than 50,000 teens, young adults, and parents every year. Chris has served at a parish in the East Los Angeles area and as director of youth and young- adult ministry for the Archdiocese of Denver. He is the founder and president of Real Life Catholic, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reengaging a generation. Chris is a syndicated columnist, has authored or co-authored several books, and is a regular on Catholic TV and radio. Chris and his wife, Natalie, live with their children in Denver, Colorado.

Ron Bolster

Ron Bolster is a co-author of Chosen. He is director of the Office of Catechetics at Franciscan University. He was formerly the director of the Office of Catechetics for the Diocese of Peoria. He holds a master of arts degree in theology with catechetical certification from Franciscan University and an undergraduate degree from Cornell University. Ron has also served as a consultant for RCIA to the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. He and his wife, Andrea, reside with their children in Steubenville, Ohio.

Additional Authors

Colin and Aimee MacIver

Colin and Aimee MacIver are the authors of the Chosen’s Sponsor’s and Parent’s Guides. Colin and Aimee teach theology at Saint Scholastica Academy in Covington, Louisiana, where Colin serves as the religion department chair and campus ministry coordinator. In addition to teaching in Catholic high schools, they have also served in various youth ministries for nearly ten years. The MacIvers reside in the New Orleans area with their young son.

Presenters

Jackie Francois

Jackie Francois Angel is a Catholic recording artist and speaker who travels both nationally and internationally, leading retreats and conferences for youth and young adults. Her debut album, Your Kingdom Is Glorious, was released through OCP/SpiritandSong.com. Jackie and her husband, Bobby Angel, live in California.

Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers

Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers is the founder and director of Servant Enterprises Inc., dedicated to the promotion of Catholic values. He makes regular appearances in Catholic media and leads retreats, seminars, and conferences around the world. Deacon Harold and his wife, Colleen, live with their children in Portland, Oregon.

Brian Butler

Brian Butler is co-author of Theology of the Body for Teens. He is the co-founder and president of Dumb Ox Ministries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to chastity and vocation formation for teens and young adults. Brian and his wife, Lisa, live with their children in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Leah Darrow

Leah Darrow is an international Catholic speaker, bringing her experiences of reality TV and the fashion world to the masses. Before her debut on the reality TV show America’s Next Top Model, and her subsequent years as a professional model in New York City, Leah earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Leah lives with her husband, Richard, and their daughter in Denver, Colorado.

Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia

Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia The four Dominican sisters who participated in the Chosen program are from a congregation of nearly 280 religious sisters based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia are committed to Catholic education and serve more than 12,000 students from preschool to college throughout the United States, as well as in Canada and Australia.

Jason Evert

Jason Evert has spoken internationally to more than one million people about the virtue of chastity. He is the best-selling author or co-author of a dozen books, including Theology of His/Her Body and Theology of the Body for Teens. Jason and his wife, Crystalina, live with their children in Denver, Colorado.

Chris Padgett

Chris Padgett is a professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, Ohio, and the author or co-author of three books including Spirituality You Can Live With. He is also a Catholic speaker and recording artist and travels around the world giving talks, missions, and concerts. Chris and his wife, Linda, live with their children in Steubenville, Ohio.

Fr. Michael Schmitz

Fr. Michael Schmitz serves as both the director of youth and young-adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and as the chaplain for Newman Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Minnesota-Duluth in Duluth, Minnesota. He also travels nationally and internationally giving talks and leading retreats and conferences.

Sarah Swafford

Sarah Swafford is the director of special projects for Catholic Identity at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. She is also a Catholic chastity speaker and the founder of EmotionalVirtue.com. She graduated from Benedictine College with degrees in theology and business marketing. Sarah and her husband, Dr. Andrew Swafford, live with their children in Atchison, Kansas.

Fr. Mark Toups

Fr. Mark Toups is a priest for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, where he serves as director of seminarians. In addition, he works with the Institute for Priestly Formation, specializing in communications, development, and spiritual direction. He received his master of divinity degree from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mary Ann Wiesinger

Mary Ann Wiesinger is associate director of the department of evangelization and catechesis for the Diocese of Oakland. She is responsible for the basic and master catechist certification programs (English and Spanish) in Oakland, California.